Ezhimala Hills
Ezhimala is considered the former capital of Mushika kingdom and is located in Kunnur district in Kerala. It is 55kms away from Kunnur. The hill reaches to a height of 286 meters above sea level and is also considered to be an historical site. It is also a flourishing seaport and some also believe that Lord Buddha visited this place to spread his message of Dharma and Ahimsa. The hills are also home to rare medicinal herbs. The burial chambers, caves, platforms are indication that humans have been living in here from a very long time. There is also an ancient mosque atop the hill. One can enjoy watching dolphins at the Ettikulam bay. One can also feel the sea breeze in their faces which will make them forget about all their worries. The Indian naval academy is located here and has developed the biggest naval academy at an estimated cost of 500 crores and is said to be the largest of its kind in the whole of Asia.
Best time to visit
January is the best time to visit as the temperature levels are apt.
How to reach there
Nearest airport is at Karipur, Kozhikode which is 150 km
Nearest railway station is at Payyanur which is 8 km
Nearest town is Ramanthali which is about 2 km.
Places to visit
Hanuman temple
It is believe that Ezhimala was formed when Lord Hanuman was carrying the herb ‘Mrithasanjeevani’ to Sri Lanka when a part of the hill broke and fell down a the current place. The temple is believed to be built by the Mooshika dynasty in the 8th century.
Mount Deli Lighthouse
This is maintained by the navy and is a restricted area hence permission is required is one wants to visit.
Ezhimala Beach
It is a clean and isolated beach ideal for families. Truly serene and one can have ayurvedic massages by the beach side done by trained professionals.
Gallery:
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- Ezhimala Hills
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- Hanuman Statue at Ezhimala Hills
Dharmadam Island
Located four kms from Thalassery Dharmadam Island is a 2 hectare privately owned island. It lies hundred meters from the mainland at Dharmadam. Tall coconut palms and dense bushes cover this island making it an ideal spot for tourists. One can walk along the virgin beach when the tides are low. Buddhism was followed a lot hence the name is given as Dharmadam. Tourists have to take necessary permission from the owners before entering this island.
Best time to visit
From October to May
How to reach this place
By air: Karipur International airport in Kozhikode whoch is 93kms away
By rail: Kannur railway station which is 15km
Nearby places to visit
Andalur Kavu
This temple is dedicated to Shri Rama but Padmashiva is also worshipped here.
Muzhappilangad beach
This is situated around two hundred meters to the north of Dharmadam. One can drive through this place which runs alongside coconut groves leading to a lovely beach. One can just sunbathe, swim or laze around in these beaches.
Thalassery fort
Thalassery fort is located five kilometer from Dharmadam and is a famous historical monument.
Dharmadam Island
Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary
Aralam is a village in Thalasserry. Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary is located in the Northern most protected area of God’s own country, Kerala. It is situated in South east Kannur District surrounded with huge Evergreen trees covering about 55sq km.
The highest peak here is Katti Betta which rises to a majestic 1145 m above sea level. Rivers here are still crystal clear and unpolluted. The sanctuary was constituted in the year 1984 and is home to a vast variety of flora and fauna common to the Western Ghats. With 215 Bird species and 172 different types of butterflies, Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary is a hot favorite and must visit place for wildlife tourism lovers as there are ample opportunities for trekking and camping on the sides of the Aralam wildlife sanctuary. Aralam is also home to more than 23 species of mammals like Wild boar, Barking Deer, Malabar giant squirrel, Leopards, Mouse Deer, Gaur, Sambar Deer, and even Tigers. It is also a nesting place to more than 20 species of Amphibians and 22 species of reptiles including the King Cobra. Some of the animals that can be spotted here are Hanuman langur, Nilgiri langur, spotted deer, Elephant, gaur, barking deer, Malabar giant squirrel, etc. Nilgiris wood pigeon, Malabar grey hornbill and the blue win
ged parakeet are some of bird species from the 215 types reported get sanctuary here.
Climate:
The temperature at the foothills varies from 21° C to 40°C and at higher altitudes varies from 8°C to 25°C. The wettest part of the year is from June to August receiving a rainfall of about 3000 mm.
Getting there:
By road: From Thalasseri (45 kms) and Kannur (45kms).
Nearest railway station: Thalasserry, about 35 km.
Nearest airport: Karipur International Airport, Kozhikode about 71 km from Thalasserry town.
Best time to visit:
The period from October to June is suitable for visiting the area. Although, to see 172 different types of butterflies one must plan their trip during November and December
Timings: 8 am to 4 pm.
Fees:
Adult Rs.15/-, Foreigners Rs.150/-, Children (Below 12 years) -Rs.7/-, Guide Rs.150/-, Video / Movie Rs.150/-, Ordinary Camera Rs.25/-, Vehicle (Light) Rs.75/-, Vehicle (Others) Rs.20/-, Vehicle (Heavy) Rs.150/-,
Other Attractions:
Central State farm – Producing crossbred coconut seeds, a 3060 hectare farm started in 1971 by the Government of India. This is one of the main production centres of hybrid coconut seeds in the country.
Famous Kerala beaches accessible from Kannur:
- Payyambalam beach is situated barely 2km from the city heart and easily accessible, even by walking to beach. Famous for relaxed evenings and ayurvedic massages.
- Valapattanam beach is about 7 km from Kannur town. This has the largest wood-based industry in South East Asia and a beautiful fishing harbour.
Meenmutty Falls
With an impressive height of 300meteres, this waterfall has three separate tiers. It takes a strenuous hike of 2kms to get to the falls but is one of the most unspoiled waterfalls in all of India.
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- Owl
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- Nature
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- Map of Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary
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- Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary
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- Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary Entrance
Arakkal Palace
The Arakkal Palace is located in Kannur district and is owned by the only royal Muslim family in Kerala known as the Arakkal family and the Arakkal museum is dedicated to this family. The museum is only a section of the palace which holds the durbar hall. Even though the museum has been renovated by the government at a whopping cost of rupees 9,000,000 the Arakkalkettu is still owned by the Muslim family. The Arakkal family trust does not fall under the control of any of the government department primarily the archaeology department. It is located three kilometres from Kannur town. The Arakkal kingdom once ruled Lakshadweep islands and the coastal areas of Malabar. The Arakkal family trust is close to two hundred years old. The palace was renovated and converted into a museum only recently in 2005.
The architecture is interesting exhibiting local flavours such as using materials like wood and laterite and there is a large open ground to offer the daily Muslim prayers which is done for five times called “Namaz”. “Kettu” is the palace complex which interconnects the Namaz area. There are four mosques around the palace. One of these blocks has a cot, seating chair and a lamp is always lit as this place is considered sacred. It looks like business was booming at this time as there were trade houses and warehouse facilities. The family followed a matrilineal system of descent and there was no discrimination done based on gender. The male rulers were known as Arakkal Raja and the female rulers were known as Arakkal Beewis.
How to reach Arakkal Palace:
By Air: Karipur International airport
By Train: Kannur railway station
By bus: Kannur bus stand
Best time to visit:
August to March
Nearby places to visit
Madayi mosque
This ancient mosque was built in 1124 A.D. by a Muslim preacher named Malic Iben Dinar. The material used is white marble and is believed to be brought from Mecca.
Dharmadam Island
This private island is located hundred meters offshore surrounded by river and sea. One can take tranquil walks along the island when the tide is low. Permission should be taken by the owners of the island.
Moppila Bay Harbour
A natural harbour located in Kannur town, Kerala. On one side is the Arakkal palace and on the other side is fort St. Angelo built in the 15th century.
Fort St. Angelo
The first Portuguese viceroy of India, Don Francisco D. Almeida built this fort in 1505 AD. The fort was owned by the Dutch, the Arakkal family and finally to the British. The cannons, barracks and ruins of the chapel are beautiful to watch.
Gallery:
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- Old Furniture in Arakkal Museum
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- Mantle Sticks
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- Old Phone used in Arakkal Palace
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- Weapon Display
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- An old pillar
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- Inside Arakkal Museum
St.Francis Church Fort Cochin
Timing:
How to reach St.Francis Church Fort Cochin:
Other places you should visit along with St. Francis Church:
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Cherai Beach Ernakulam
How to Reach Cherai Beach
Gallery:
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- cherai beach
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- cherai beach
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- cherai beach
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- cherai beach ernakulam
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- Cherai ernakulam
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- Cherai_Beach
Hill Palace, Tripunithura
How to Reach Hill palace Museum Tripunithura:
Timings:
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Mattancherry Synagogue
How to reach mattancherry Synagogue:
Timings:
Gallery:
Mattancherry Palace (Dutch palace) Ernakulam
The Mattancherry Palace, also known as Dutch Palace, was built by the Portuguese in 1557 and was presented to Raja Veera Kerala Varma, then ruler of Cochin. The palace was later renovated by the Dutch, and since then it was also called Dutch Palace.
Though built by the Portuguese, it was built in Kerala style of architecture. It is a ‘Nalukettu’ a style of architecture then popular in Kerala (It is still popular in Kerala but with modifications) with a centre courtyard. The flooring of the palace will look like black marble but actually it is made by a special mixture containing charcoal, egg whites and lime (The same can be seen in many other palaces in Kerala).
The palace is famous for its murals. The palace displays hundreds of them depicting Hindu religious traditions and beliefs. Most of them portrays themes from Ramayana and Mahabharata. Make sure you see the paintings on the low ceiling of King’s Chamber on the South-west corner of the palace. The palaces also showcases swords and other weapons used by the kings at the time.
How to Reach Mattancherry palace?
The palace is located at The palace Road, Mattancherry, Fort Cochin, Ernakulam, Kerala.
There are frequent bus and boat services connecting Mattancherry and Ernakulam city. You can reach Ernakulam city via Road, Train or Plane. (See here for more info)
Timings:
10:00 am to 5:00 pm on all days except Fridays.
Know more on Tourist attractions in Ernakulam.
Gallery:
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- Kerala Dutch Palace
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- Mattancherry Palace
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- Mattancherry Palace interior
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- Mattancherry palace murals
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- murals dutch palace
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- murals dutch palace
Image Courtesy: Hindu, 1.bp.blogspot, worldofstock.com
Sree Chitra Art Gallery
Sree Chitra Art Gallery is located towards the North side of Napier Museum. It was established in 1935 by the then Maharaja (King) of Travancore, Sri Chithira Tirunal. This art gallery is internationally renowned for its rare collection and displays original paintings of Raja Ravi Varma, Svetlova and Nicholas Roerich; exquisite works from the Rajput, Mughal and Tanjore schools of art in India as well as paintings from China, Japan, Tibet and Bali. This art gallery is one of the finest of its kind in India, which collaborated both ancient (down to the 18th century) and modern art.
Main attraction in this art gallery is Raja Ravi Varma’s paintings, Indian mural paintings of the ancient times, preserved art works of the Mughals, Rajastani and Rajputs. In addition to this international art works which includes Chinese, Tibetan and Japanese are another set of must see in this art gallery.
Timings:
Closed on all Mondays, Wednesdays and Forenoons.
Open on all other days from: 1.00 PM to 4.45 PM
Entrance fee:
Museum & Art Gallery: Adults: Rs. 10 Children: Rs 4.
Phone: +91-471-2473952
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- Raja-Ravi-Varma-Art-Forms
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- Raja-Ravi-Varma-Art-Works
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- Raja-Ravi-Varma-Paintings
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- Sree-Chitra-Art-Gallery-Trivandrum
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- Sri-Chitra-Art-Gallery
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- Trivandrum-Sree Chitra Art Gallery-Night View